This federal legislation will have a generational effect on the civic education of public school students across the country, and it will ultimately lead to a vast overall expansion of our nation’s electorate. This bill is patterned after SB 128, a successful piece of state legislation passed and signed into law in Maryland in 2007 under the same name. Since the passage of the state measure, the Maryland Board of Elections, between the 2006 and 2008 electoral cycles cites a 90% increase in voter registration of 17 and 18 year old new voter applicants in the state.

Organizations and elected officials such as Common Cause, Democracy Matters, The Washington Metropolitan Council AFL-CIO, Hip Hop Caucus, the Student Association for Voter Empowerment, Governor of Maryland Martin O’Malley, co-sponsors Congressmen Kendrick Meek, (FL-17); Charles Rangel, (NY-15); John Conyers, (MI-14); Eleanor Holmes-Norton, (DC); Maxine Waters, (CA-35); Diane Watson, (CA-33); Donald Payne, (NJ-10); Melvin Watt (NC-12); Andre Carson, (IN-7) all have formally endorsed this important federal legislation that will assist new young voters in becoming fully aware of the document that binds us all in a democratic union and their responsibility within the political process. This is legislation long overdue.

I was surprised on Patriot Day, Sept.11, when I found out that another holiday had been signed into law in April 2009, also to be commemorated on Sept 11. It’s called the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009 and here is the Presidential proclamation that addresses both occasions.

Another official holiday that doesn’t show up on many lists or calendars—and it’s a day where the US flag is to be flown at half-staff all day—is October 4, during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Here is my article from last year.

And of course, tomorrow is National POW/MIA Recognition Day.